Viburnum nudum
Smooth Witherod Viburnum
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
Average landscape size of 8-12' (range is 5-15') tall and 2/3-3/4 as wide, but national champion is 33' tall by 20' wide, in Georgia. Forms a dense shrub, compact and rounded in youth, with upright, then spreading, arching branches as it ages. Medium to fast growth rate. Moderately short-lived, often 50-100 years.
Native Range
Kentucky Native — Native to the southeastern U.S. and from Connecticut & Long Island to FL, west to KY & LA. Also found from New England to Arkansas, and south to FL & Texas. Introduced in 1752. Often found growing in wetlands, swamps, stream banks and creek bottoms.
Flower and Fruit Details
Flowers are monoecious, creamy white, in June, borne in flat-topped cymes 2-5" diameter, fragrant with a strong odor. The beautiful fruits (drupes) start green, change to pink, then to red, then to blue, eventually to black when ripe in September. All colors often present at the same time. Fruits are edible, and may be dried like raisins, thus one of the common names.
Leaf and Bark Features
Deciduous: Leaves are very glossy and lustrous, opposite, simple, elliptic or ovate to oblong, 2-4" long and 1-2" wide, with entire or wavy margins, acute at the tip with a 0.5" petiole. Red to reddish-purple fall color. Notable Bark: Bark is smooth, tan to gray to brown, scurfy in youth, finally glabrous, with prominent lenticels.
Culture and Care
Prefers sun to partial shade, moist, well-drained soil. Prefers sandy loams and silt loam soils. Drought tolerant and easy to grow. Zone 5-9. Very adaptable to various soils and light conditions. Tolerates poor drainage and wet areas. Resistant to soil compaction, but sensitive to de-icing salts in the soil or as a foliar spray. Few pests or diseases.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
Dense shrub with glossy leaves and ample, colorful fruit. 3-season interest: Spring, summer, & fall. Songbirds enjoy the fruits. Closely related to Viburnum cassinoides, which it highly resembles. "Nudum" refers to the smooth leaves and branches.
Suggested Uses
Good for naturalizing, massing, or the shrub border. Performs well in wet areas.
Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA
The following taxa are (or were) represented in the collections at Boone County Arboretum. Additional taxa may be available in the trade that are not included here.
Viburnum nudum // Smooth Witherod Viburnum ("straight species")
Shrub.
Bed 184Viburnum nudum 'Bulk' // Brandywine™ Viburnum
Shrub. May-June flowers. A heavy-fruiting cultivar with showy, edible fruits in shades of green, pink and blue. Introduced by Mark Bulk in the Netherlands. Listed as growing only 5' tall and wide, but may get larger over time. Good in a foundation planting, hedge, roadside planting or rain garden. Plant shrubs in groups, or near other V. nudum cultivars, such as Winterthur Viburnum for best pollination and fruit set. Both plants will attract butterflies and songbirds.
Bed 202Viburnum nudum 'Winterthur' // Winterthur Smooth Witherod Viburnum
Shrub. More compact than the straight-species, growing to 6' in ten years, and leaves are more lustrous and waxy than other viburnums. Eventually can grow to 8-10' and become more open in habit. Showy, creamy white, fragrant flowers in May-June. Produces a heavy crop of pink, then blue fruits that can be dried & eaten like raisins. Develops good maroon/red fall foliage color. Plant shrubs in groups, or near other V. nudum cultivars, such as Brandywine Viburnum for best pollination & fruit set. Both plants will attract butterflies and songbirds. Makes a good specimen, foundation plant, hedge, water garden or rain garden plant. Selected at the Winterthur Garden in Delaware. Winner of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal Steyer Award.
Bed 130